New York teachers' unions urge Governor Hochul to reject federal school choice program

A coalition of teachers' unions and civil rights leaders, including representatives from the NAACP, is urging New York Governor Kathy Hochul to reject a federal tax-credit scholarship program. During a gathering at the United Federation of Teachers headquarters, officials argued that the Republican-backed program, signed by President Donald Trump, poses a threat to public education by allowing public funds to flow to private schools that may exclude high-need students.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, stated that the voucher-like program allows private institutions to ‘pick and choose who they admit, leaving the most vulnerable children behind.’

Governor Hochul’s office has maintained its support for the program, stating that the federal scholarship tax credit is intended to benefit all New York students without diverting funds from local or state budgets. The governor indicated in May that she intends to opt the state into the program.